Tuesday, April 21, 2009

7-5 : The Smart Guy is Back

Since manager Trey Hillman seems to have no intellectual ability when it comes to managing a bullpen, the Royals have brought up right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister to help with in-game decision making.

Oh, and he'll start on Wednesday against the Indians.

Bannister had a rough go of it in 2008, when the league talent caught up with his smarts. Here's hoping that a refresher course in AAA has given him some new tricks to try out on the big kids.

Bannister, 28, was 9-16 with a 5.76 ERA last season in 32 starts and lost his job in the rotation by continuing to pitch poorly in spring training. He struggled in his first start at Omaha but pitched seven shutout innings April 14 at Round Rock.